welovetrump--2020-07-09--Supreme Court Blocks House Dems From Trump Financial Records!

There is no law in the United States which calls for the President , or President-Elect , to publicly reveal their personal financial information .
Nor is there any law requiring said person to disclose his financial information to either equal branch of government for inspection , dissection , and eventual new round of phony prosecution .
Today , the Supreme Court punted on this issue that President Trump maintains is Executive Harassment , instead passing the buck back down to lower courts to decide if House Dems can access Donald Trump 's tax & financial history .
But at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From our friends at Fox News : The Supreme Court has deferred issuing a definitive ruling on whether congressional committees can have access to President Trump 's financial records , throwing the issue back to the lower courts in a move blocking Congress from getting the records at this time .
The 7-2 decision Thursday sidesteps a politically-charged election-year dispute that could have a major long-term impact over the extent presidents and their top advisers can be shielded from Capitol Hill investigations while in office .
`` Without limits on its subpoena powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' over the Executive Branch and aggrandize itself at the President ’ s expense , just as the Framers feared , '' Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court 's opinion .
The ruling deals with two cases that were consolidated .
In one , the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed accounting firm Mazars USA for access to a slew of Trump ’ s financial documents from 2011 to 2018 , including personal records and records of various affiliated businesses and entities .
These included the president 's long-sought-after tax returns .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services and Intelligence Committees subpoenaed records from Deutsche Bank , and the Financial Service Committee also subpoenaed Capital One .
While both banks have various financial records related to Trump and his businesses , neither possesses his tax returns .
Throughout the litigation of these cases , a main issue was whether the House committees had the requisite legitimate legislative purpose required to access such records .
In Thursday 's ruling the Supreme Court recognized that the fact that the president is involved makes the case far more complex , and without precedent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until now , we have never considered a dispute over a congressional subpoena for the President ’ s records , '' Roberts wrote .
`` And , according to the parties , the appellate courts have addressed such a subpoena only once , when a Senate committee subpoenaed President Nixon during the Watergate scandal .
… In that case , the court refused to enforce the subpoena , and the Senate did not seek review by this Court . ''
Roberts said that historically , disputes like this between the executive and legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For more than two centuries , the political branches have resolved information disputes using the wide variety of means that the Constitution puts at their disposal , '' he wrote .
`` The nature of such interactions would be transformed by judicial enforcement of either of the approaches suggested by the parties , eroding a “ [ d ] eeply embedded traditional way [ ] of conducting government.
” While the majority ruled that the lower court decisions favoring the House committees should vacated and the cases sent back down for further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decisions should have been reversed entirely .
`` I would hold that Congress has no power to issue a legislative subpoena for private , nonofficial documents—whether they belong to the President or not , '' Thomas wrote in a dissenting opinion .
Justice Samuel Alito also disagreed with the court 's ruling , but took a softer approach than Thomas .
While stating that he believes `` such subpoenas are not categorically barred , '' the House did not adequately illustrate their legislative needs for the subpoenas .
`` [ L ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal documents are inherently suspicious , '' he said , asserting that such documents `` are seldom of any special value in considering potential legislation . ''

There is no law in the United States which calls for the President, or President-Elect, to publicly reveal their personal financial information.
Nor is there any law requiring said person to disclose his financial information to either equal branch of government for inspection, dissection, and eventual new round of phony prosecution.
Today, the Supreme Court punted on this issue that President Trump maintains is Executive Harassment, instead passing the buck back down to lower courts to decide if House Dems can access Donald Trump’s tax & financial history.
But at least they’re stopped for now.
From our friends at Fox News:
The Supreme Court has deferred issuing a definitive ruling on whether congressional committees can have access to President Trump’s financial records, throwing the issue back to the lower courts in a move blocking Congress from getting the records at this time. The 7-2 decision Thursday sidesteps a politically-charged election-year dispute that could have a major long-term impact over the extent presidents and their top advisers can be shielded from Capitol Hill investigations while in office. “Without limits on its subpoena powers, Congress could ‘exert an imperious controul’ over the Executive Branch and aggrandize itself at the President’s expense, just as the Framers feared,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court’s opinion. The ruling deals with two cases that were consolidated. In one, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed accounting firm Mazars USA for access to a slew of Trump’s financial documents from 2011 to 2018, including personal records and records of various affiliated businesses and entities. These included the president’s long-sought-after tax returns. In a second case, the House Financial Services and Intelligence Committees subpoenaed records from Deutsche Bank, and the Financial Service Committee also subpoenaed Capital One. While both banks have various financial records related to Trump and his businesses, neither possesses his tax returns. Throughout the litigation of these cases, a main issue was whether the House committees had the requisite legitimate legislative purpose required to access such records. In Thursday’s ruling the Supreme Court recognized that the fact that the president is involved makes the case far more complex, and without precedent. “Indeed, from President Washington until now, we have never considered a dispute over a congressional subpoena for the President’s records,” Roberts wrote. “And, according to the parties, the appellate courts have addressed such a subpoena only once, when a Senate committee subpoenaed President Nixon during the Watergate scandal. … In that case, the court refused to enforce the subpoena, and the Senate did not seek review by this Court.” Roberts said that historically, disputes like this between the executive and legislative branches would be settled without litigation. “For more than two centuries, the political branches have resolved information disputes using the wide variety of means that the Constitution puts at their disposal,” he wrote. “The nature of such interactions would be transformed by judicial enforcement of either of the approaches suggested by the parties, eroding a “[d]eeply embedded traditional way[] of conducting government.” While the majority ruled that the lower court decisions favoring the House committees should vacated and the cases sent back down for further consideration, Justice Clarence Thomas stated that the decisions should have been reversed entirely. “I would hold that Congress has no power to issue a legislative subpoena for private, nonofficial documents—whether they belong to the President or not,” Thomas wrote in a dissenting opinion. Justice Samuel Alito also disagreed with the court’s ruling, but took a softer approach than Thomas. While stating that he believes “such subpoenas are not categorically barred,” the House did not adequately illustrate their legislative needs for the subpoenas. “[L]egislative subpoenas for a President’s personal documents are inherently suspicious,” he said, asserting that such documents “are seldom of any special value in considering potential legislation.”


welovetrump--2020-07-09--Black Hawks Won’t Be Canceled!

Black Hawks Won’t Be Canceled!

Over the last several weeks , many iconic brands in the American lexicon have been cancelled by the WOKE MOB .
The latest targets have been sports mascots who do n't pass muster of what the radical left considers politically acceptable .
Luckily , The Chicago Black Hawks wo n't be one of them .
The Blackhawks will keep their name and logo but are committed to ‘ ‘ raising the bar even higher ’ ’ in their efforts to increase awareness of Native American culture , they said in a statement Tuesday .
The statement comes after the NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indians announced their intentions last week to consider changing their Native American names and logos .
‘ ‘ The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person , Black Hawk of Illinois ’ Sac & Fox Nation , whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans , veterans and the public , ’ ’ the Hawks ’ statement said .
‘ ‘ We celebrate Black Hawk ’ s legacy by offering ongoing reverent examples of Native American culture , traditions and contributions , providing a platform for genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
As the team ’ s popularity grew over the past decade , so did that platform and our work with these important organizations .
‘ ‘ We recognize there is a fine line between respect and disrespect , and we commend other teams for their willingness to engage in that conversation .
‘ ‘ Moving forward , we are committed to raising the bar even higher to expand awareness of Black Hawk and the important contributions of all Native American people .
‘ ‘ We will continue to serve as stewards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so with a commitment to evolve .
Our endeavors in this area have been sincere and multifaceted , and the path forward will draw on that experience to grow as an organization and expand our efforts.
’ ’ The Hawks frequently honor Native Americans with pregame ovations and intermission performances , but other Native American groups in Illinois have denounced the Hawks ’ name and logo for perpetuating racist stereotypes . ''

Over the last several weeks, many iconic brands in the American lexicon have been cancelled by the WOKE MOB.
The latest targets have been sports mascots who don't pass muster of what the radical left considers politically acceptable.
Luckily, The Chicago Black Hawks won't be one of them.
From The Chicago Sun Times:
The Blackhawks will keep their name and logo but are committed to ‘‘raising the bar even higher’’ in their efforts to increase awareness of Native American culture, they said in a statement Tuesday. The statement comes after the NFL’s Redskins and MLB’s Indians announced their intentions last week to consider changing their Native American names and logos. ‘‘The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois’ Sac & Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans and the public,’’ the Hawks’ statement said. ‘‘We celebrate Black Hawk’s legacy by offering ongoing reverent examples of Native American culture, traditions and contributions, providing a platform for genuine dialogue with local and national Native American groups. As the team’s popularity grew over the past decade, so did that platform and our work with these important organizations. ‘‘We recognize there is a fine line between respect and disrespect, and we commend other teams for their willingness to engage in that conversation. ‘‘Moving forward, we are committed to raising the bar even higher to expand awareness of Black Hawk and the important contributions of all Native American people. ‘‘We will continue to serve as stewards of our name and identity and will do so with a commitment to evolve. Our endeavors in this area have been sincere and multifaceted, and the path forward will draw on that experience to grow as an organization and expand our efforts.’’ The Hawks frequently honor Native Americans with pregame ovations and intermission performances, but other Native American groups in Illinois have denounced the Hawks’ name and logo for perpetuating racist stereotypes."


welovetrump--2020-07-09--Classic Video: Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Calls Out Don Lemon By His Own 2013 Words

In the video , Tucker points out how Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo mocked Republican concern for the chaos months @ @ @ @ @ to Lemon 's interview with Terry Crews earlier this week where Lemon dismissed the idea @ @ @ @ @ about black on black murder , and told Crews that he should `` start his @ @ @ @ @ real juicy part of the video is the 7-year-old clip of Lemon calling for African @ @ @ @ @ their actions .

In the video, Tucker points out how Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo mocked Republican concern for the chaos months ago.
He then pointed to Lemon's interview with Terry Crews earlier this week where Lemon dismissed the idea that BLM has any concern about black on black murder, and told Crews that he should "start his own movement."
The real juicy part of the video is the 7-year-old clip of Lemon calling for African Americans to take responsibility for their actions.


welovetrump--2020-07-09--NYC Set to Begin Painting Black Lives Matter Mural Right Outside Trump Tower

Mayor Bill de Blasio may be one of the most petty politicians in the country .
He ’ s done almost everything in his power to pander to Black Lives Matter radicals while trashing the NYPD .
Most recently , he successfully slashed $ 1 billion in funding from the NYPD with the help of the city council .
Now , the city is officially set to begin painting a Black Lives Matter mural outside Trump Tower in Fifth Avenue .
It ’ s clearly a move on the mayor ’ s part to disrespect President Trump .
Here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post on the mural : New York City will begin painting a large Black Lives Matter mural along Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower on Thursday , sources told The Post .
Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to attend the project at some point as well , the sources said .
The lettering will stretch between 56th and 57th streets right in front of Trump ’ s Manhattan high-rise .
The mayor had planned to start work on the mural last week but postponed the painting a day after President Trump condemned the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ NYC is cutting Police $ ’ s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS , and yet the @ NYCMayor is going to paint a big , expensive , yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue , denigrating this luxury Avenue , ” Trump wrote in a series of tweets last Wednesday morning .
“ Maybe our GREAT Police , who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them , won ’ t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York ’ s greatest street , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money fighting crime instead !
” De Blasio pushed back later that morning , tweeting , “ The fact that you see it as denigrating your street is the definition of racism.
” “ Black people BUILT 5th Ave and so much of this nation , ” the mayor added .
“ Your “ luxury ” came from THEIR labor , for which they have never been justly compensated .
We are honoring them.
” Check out reactions to the mural on Twitter :

Mayor Bill de Blasio may be one of the most petty politicians in the country.
He’s done almost everything in his power to pander to Black Lives Matter radicals while trashing the NYPD.
Most recently, he successfully slashed $1 billion in funding from the NYPD with the help of the city council.
Now, the city is officially set to begin painting a Black Lives Matter mural outside Trump Tower in Fifth Avenue.
It’s clearly a move on the mayor’s part to disrespect President Trump.
Here’s the details from the New York Post on the mural:
New York City will begin painting a large Black Lives Matter mural along Fifth Avenue outside Trump Tower on Thursday, sources told The Post. Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to attend the project at some point as well, the sources said. The lettering will stretch between 56th and 57th streets right in front of Trump’s Manhattan high-rise. The mayor had planned to start work on the mural last week but postponed the painting a day after President Trump condemned the idea as a “symbol of hate.” “NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue,” Trump wrote in a series of tweets last Wednesday morning. “Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street,” Trump went on. “Spend this money fighting crime instead!” De Blasio pushed back later that morning, tweeting, “The fact that you see it as denigrating your street is the definition of racism.” “Black people BUILT 5th Ave and so much of this nation,” the mayor added. “Your “luxury” came from THEIR labor, for which they have never been justly compensated. We are honoring them.”
Check out reactions to the mural on Twitter:


welovetrump--2020-07-10--POWERFUL Trump Ad Going Viral for Showing What “Defund the Police” Really Looks Like

Imagine calling 911 in the middle of an emergency .
Perhaps it 's because of a burglar breaking into your @ @ @ @ @ been a terrible auto accident .
But because the police have been defunded… no one @ @ @ @ @ POWERFUL new Trump campaign ad is showing Americans exactly what `` defund the police '' @ @ @ @ @ left radical democrats will attempt to re-define what `` defund '' means , the true @ @ @ @ @ message could n't be clearer : Trump is the law and order president .
And @ @ @ @ @ safe regardless of race , gender , sexuality , or religion .
Watch the POWERFUL @ @ @ @ @ below :

Imagine calling 911 in the middle of an emergency.
Perhaps it's because of a burglar breaking into your home.
Maybe there's been a terrible auto accident.
But because the police have been defunded… no one answers.
Scary, right?
Well, a POWERFUL new Trump campaign ad is showing Americans exactly what "defund the police" really means.
While far left radical democrats will attempt to re-define what "defund" means, the true meaning is self-evident.
The message couldn't be clearer: Trump is the law and order president.
And he will keep ALL Americans safe regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or religion.
Watch the POWERFUL ad that is going viral below:


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Dead Cat Gets Voter Registration Form in Mail

We ’ ve been assured by Democrats time and time again that voting by mail is completely secure and free of fraud .
But the fact that Democrats are virulently pushing for mail-in voting should have us all taking a second look .
Remember , this is the same party that believes asking for identification in order to vote is somehow racist .
This latest story will give you a good laugh and concern you at the same time .
A family from Atlanta , George received a voter registration form in the mail for , get this , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 years !
Here ’ s the full details on the story from Fox News : An Atlanta family said it received a voter registration form this week for their cat Cody Tims – who died 12 years ago .
“ There ’ s a huge push but if they ’ re trying to register cats , I ’ m not sure who else they ’ re trying to register , ” the late feline ’ s owner , Carol Tims , told Fox5 Atlanta .
“ I ’ m not sure if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mice , snakes.
” The Tims say they found the form addressed to the cat in their mailbox on Wednesday .
Carol Tims described Cody as a “ great cat , indoor and outdoor ” who “ loved his family , loved his neighborhood ” and lived to the age of 18 .
But in terms of his voting prospects , “ he ’ s a cat and he ’ s been dead for a long time , ” Tims told Fox5 Atlanta .
The Georgia Secretary of State ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send out the form and that third-party groups behind such applications often use mailing lists to obtain names and addresses of people — and in this case , a cat .
“ Third-party groups all over the country are targeting Georgia to help register qualified individuals , ” it said in a statement .
“ This group makes you wonder what these out-of-town activists are really doing .
Make no mistake about it , this office is dedicated to investigating all types of fraud.
” Asked how Cody might have voted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Fox5Atlanta that he was a “ Democat.
” What if this dead cat had somehow succesfully registered and received an actual ballot ?
His family could have easily used it to fraudulently vote for Biden in November !
Check out Twitter responses to the “ voting ” dead cat :

We’ve been assured by Democrats time and time again that voting by mail is completely secure and free of fraud.
But the fact that Democrats are virulently pushing for mail-in voting should have us all taking a second look.
Remember, this is the same party that believes asking for identification in order to vote is somehow racist.
This latest story will give you a good laugh and concern you at the same time.
A family from Atlanta, George received a voter registration form in the mail for, get this, their cat that’s been dead for 12 years!
Here’s the full details on the story from Fox News:
An Atlanta family said it received a voter registration form this week for their cat Cody Tims – who died 12 years ago. “There’s a huge push but if they’re trying to register cats, I’m not sure who else they’re trying to register,” the late feline’s owner, Carol Tims, told Fox5 Atlanta. “I’m not sure if they’re trying to register dogs, mice, snakes.” The Tims say they found the form addressed to the cat in their mailbox on Wednesday. Carol Tims described Cody as a “great cat, indoor and outdoor” who “loved his family, loved his neighborhood” and lived to the age of 18. But in terms of his voting prospects, “he’s a cat and he’s been dead for a long time,” Tims told Fox5 Atlanta. The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office told the station that they did not send out the form and that third-party groups behind such applications often use mailing lists to obtain names and addresses of people — and in this case, a cat. “Third-party groups all over the country are targeting Georgia to help register qualified individuals,” it said in a statement. “This group makes you wonder what these out-of-town activists are really doing. Make no mistake about it, this office is dedicated to investigating all types of fraud.” Asked how Cody might have voted in the polls – if he could – Tims told Fox5Atlanta that he was a “Democat.”
What if this dead cat had somehow succesfully registered and received an actual ballot?
His family could have easily used it to fraudulently vote for Biden in November!
Check out Twitter responses to the “voting” dead cat:


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Mayor De Blasio: No Gatherings….Unless You’re BLM

How can we deny any longer that the application of Covid-19 related regulations are being applied along partisan lines ?
You ca n't see a concert , go to a social club , even worshipping God in public is being locked away in a pandemic sized box and stuffed in our basements .
But if you live in New York City and want to protest White America , or the police , or rob your local CVS in the process , please feel free .
According to The New York Post , the man who Sean Hannity calls Comrade De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a historic moment of change .
We have to respect that but also say to people the kinds of gatherings we ’ re used to , the parades , the fairs — we just can ’ t have that while we ’ re focusing on health right now , ” de Blasio told host Wolf Blitzer .
The exception came as New York ’ s rate of infections has remained consistent through the civil unrest over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd .
NYC cancels large public gatherings through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the National Bureau of Economic Research found no evidence that coronavirus cases jumped in 315 cities in the weeks after the first protests .
Researchers determined that protests may have been offset by an increase in social distancing among those who decided not to march .
The City Hall shutdown will include big parades like the West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn on Labor Day weekend , the Dominican Day Parade in Midtown Manhattan and the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy . ''

How can we deny any longer that the application of Covid-19 related regulations are being applied along partisan lines?
You can't see a concert, go to a social club, even worshipping God in public is being locked away in a pandemic sized box and stuffed in our basements.
But if you live in New York City and want to protest White America, or the police, or rob your local CVS in the process, please feel free.
According to The New York Post, the man who Sean Hannity calls Comrade De Blasio, had this to say:
“This is a historic moment of change. We have to respect that but also say to people the kinds of gatherings we’re used to, the parades, the fairs — we just can’t have that while we’re focusing on health right now,” de Blasio told host Wolf Blitzer. The exception came as New York’s rate of infections has remained consistent through the civil unrest over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. NYC cancels large public gatherings through the end of September
A late-June study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found no evidence that coronavirus cases jumped in 315 cities in the weeks after the first protests. Researchers determined that protests may have been offset by an increase in social distancing among those who decided not to march. The City Hall shutdown will include big parades like the West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn on Labor Day weekend, the Dominican Day Parade in Midtown Manhattan and the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy."


welovetrump--2020-07-11--WI Man Kills Retired Policeman Because He Was White

In another report , Navarro alleges that he had been repeatedly poisoned over the last year and that his neighbors were all racists .
He allegedly set out the day of the killing to run over any white person he could find , someone on a motocycle was just easiest to kill , in his mind .
Daniel Navarro , 27 , is also charged with use of a dangerous weapon .
He made his initial court appearance Thursday where bond was set at $ 1 million cash .
Navarro returns to court July 17 .
According to a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the victim deceased in the roadway near a motorcycle , with witnesses trying to render aid .
He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash .
A red 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup was nearby -- having crashed into a pole off the roadway .
Prosecutors said Navarro , the driver of the pickup , said he was in the westbound lane of Winnebago Drive when he intentionally crashed into the motorcycle head-on .
Witnesses said the truck swerved into the westbound lane and struck the motorcycle -- with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigators said there were no signs the pickup braked before or after the crash .
The complaint said Navarro told investigators he believed he was `` intentionally contaminated with chemical sterilizer on a jacket by an employment supervisor in Ripon a year and a half prior , '' and `` a friend poisoned him by giving him acid a year and a half ago . ''
He added that he was `` still being poisoned by a neighbor . ''
He added that he `` can hear one of his neighbors making racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` they '' drive by his house and rev their engines or squeal their tires , and `` they '' know who he is .
He said `` they '' are `` trying to upset him '' but he `` does n't get angry . ''
He said `` those who are poisoning him , giving him acid and making racist comments are all Caucasian and targeting him because he is Mexican . ''
He said the day of the crash , he took the truck out for a drive to charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` intentionally swerved with intent to kill the driver . ''
According to the complaint , he said he had been `` thinking about targeting a white person and killing them with a vehicle earlier that day , '' and he `` picked a motorcycle because he wanted the person to die , '' noting that `` white people drive motorcycles , '' and `` the Harley culture is made up of white racists . ''
He said he `` wanted to go to prison to be free from his neighbors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did was wrong . ''

In another report, Navarro alleges that he had been repeatedly poisoned over the last year and that his neighbors were all racists.
He allegedly set out the day of the killing to run over any white person he could find, someone on a motocycle was just easiest to kill, in his mind.
From local Fox 6:
Daniel Navarro, 27, is also charged with use of a dangerous weapon. He made his initial court appearance Thursday where bond was set at $1 million cash. Navarro returns to court July 17.
According to a criminal complaint, around 6:45 p.m., investigators found the victim deceased in the roadway near a motorcycle, with witnesses trying to render aid. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. A red 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup was nearby -- having crashed into a pole off the roadway. Prosecutors said Navarro, the driver of the pickup, said he was in the westbound lane of Winnebago Drive when he intentionally crashed into the motorcycle head-on. Witnesses said the truck swerved into the westbound lane and struck the motorcycle -- with the bike flying into the air.
Investigators said there were no signs the pickup braked before or after the crash.
The complaint said Navarro told investigators he believed he was "intentionally contaminated with chemical sterilizer on a jacket by an employment supervisor in Ripon a year and a half prior," and "a friend poisoned him by giving him acid a year and a half ago." He added that he was "still being poisoned by a neighbor." He added that he "can hear one of his neighbors making racist comments through the walls." He said "they" drive by his house and rev their engines or squeal their tires, and "they" know who he is. He said "they" are "trying to upset him" but he "doesn't get angry." He said "those who are poisoning him, giving him acid and making racist comments are all Caucasian and targeting him because he is Mexican."
He said the day of the crash, he took the truck out for a drive to charge up the battery and saw the motorcycle and "intentionally swerved with intent to kill the driver." According to the complaint, he said he had been "thinking about targeting a white person and killing them with a vehicle earlier that day," and he "picked a motorcycle because he wanted the person to die," noting that "white people drive motorcycles," and "the Harley culture is made up of white racists." He said he "wanted to go to prison to be free from his neighbors," and he "knows what he did was wrong."


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Trump Threatens Funding/Tax-Status Of Schools Providing “Indoctrination” not “Education”

Many universities and public schools are turning into leftwing propaganda mills all the while receiving tax payer money and tax exempt status .
If President Trump has his way , that may soon change .
President Donald Trump on Friday wrote he was instructing the Treasury Department `` to re-examine '' the `` tax-exempt status …and/or funding '' of `` universities and school systems '' that , he said , `` are about Radical Left Indoctrination , not Education . ''
In a pair of tweets sent while he flew to the battleground state of Florida for a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Universities and School Systems are about Radical Left Indoctrination , not Education .
Therefore , I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-Exempt Status… and/or Funding , which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues .
Our children must be Educated , not Indoctrinated ! ''
Trump did not provide any more details or indicate what had prompted his tweets .
The White House declined to comment when asked for more details and about what specifically prompted them .
The Treasury Department did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Many universities and public schools are turning into leftwing propaganda mills all the while receiving tax payer money and tax exempt status.
If President Trump has his way, that may soon change.
As reported by ABC:
President Donald Trump on Friday wrote he was instructing the Treasury Department "to re-examine" the "tax-exempt status …and/or funding" of "universities and school systems" that, he said, "are about Radical Left Indoctrination, not Education." In a pair of tweets sent while he flew to the battleground state of Florida for a series of events, Trump said: "Too many Universities and School Systems are about Radical Left Indoctrination, not Education. Therefore, I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-Exempt Status… and/or Funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues. Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated!" Trump did not provide any more details or indicate what had prompted his tweets. The White House declined to comment when asked for more details and about what specifically prompted them. The Treasury Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment."


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Roger Stone Sentence Commuted!

Roger Stone Sentence Commuted!

Roger Stone could n't find justice in the corrupt legal system during the Russia Hoax investigation , and was expected to report to prison on July 14 while he appealed a 40 month sentence .
From our friends at Fox News : The White House announced Friday that President Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency commuting the `` unjust sentence '' of Roger Stone , just days before the longtime political operative is slated to report to prison to serve more than three years for charges stemming from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
Earlier Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to delay reporting for his sentence , saying he must report for prison on Tuesday .
`` In sum , Stone is not legally eligible for further postponement of his reporting date under 18 U.S.C .
§ 3145 ( c ) , which is the only basis on which he seeks relief from this court .
We therefore deny his motion , '' the court wrote in its order .
The president , as recently as Friday morning , has said he was `` looking at '' offering Stone clemency , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stone was set to report to prison on July 14 to serve 40 months .
He was sentenced in February to more than three years in prison after being convicted in November 2019 on seven counts of obstruction , witness tampering and making false statements to Congress on charges that stemmed from Mueller ’ s investigation .
Stone , however , has appealed his conviction and continues to deny any wrongdoing .
Trump , for weeks , has signaled he could be open to granting Stone clemency — tweeting last month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt and illegal Witch Hunt , one which will go down as the greatest political crime in history .
He can sleep well at night !
” During an exclusive interview with Fox News this week , Stone said he was “ praying ” for Trump to intervene .
When asked whether he ’ d prefer a pardon or a commutation of his sentence , Stone said “ either one obviously would have an effect , in my opinion , of saving my life.
” A presidential pardon completely absolves an individual of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have committed .
A commutation lessens the punishment or eliminates jail time , but leaves the conviction standing .
“ I have deep concerns about going to a prison where there absolutely is COVID virus , and , therefore , either one would have an effect of saving my life , '' Stone said .
He added : “ If I should be fortunate enough to get a commutation , I would continue to fight for vindication.
” Roger Stone says order to report to jail is 'essentially a death sentence'Video As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not received any formal communication from the White House on a potential pardon or commutation of his sentence .
I think I ’ ll be the last person to know , ” Stone told Fox News .
“ He hates leaks , and he hates to be told what to do .
I have instructed my lawyers not to contact the lawyers at the White House.
” “ The president , who I ’ ve known for 40 years , has an incredible sense of fairness .
He is aware that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now trying to destroy me , are the people trying to destroy him , '' Stone said . ''

Roger Stone couldn't find justice in the corrupt legal system during the Russia Hoax investigation, and was expected to report to prison on July 14 while he appealed a 40 month sentence.
President Donald Trump just provided some relief.
From our friends at Fox News:
The White House announced Friday that President Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency commuting the "unjust sentence" of Roger Stone, just days before the longtime political operative is slated to report to prison to serve more than three years for charges stemming from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
Earlier Friday, an appeals court denied Stone's request to delay reporting for his sentence, saying he must report for prison on Tuesday.
"In sum, Stone is not legally eligible for further postponement of his reporting date under 18 U.S.C. § 3145(c), which is the only basis on which he seeks relief from this court. We therefore deny his motion," the court wrote in its order.
The president, as recently as Friday morning, has said he was "looking at" offering Stone clemency, saying he was "very unfairly treated."
Stone was set to report to prison on July 14 to serve 40 months. He was sentenced in February to more than three years in prison after being convicted in November 2019 on seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress on charges that stemmed from Mueller’s investigation. Stone, however, has appealed his conviction and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Trump, for weeks, has signaled he could be open to granting Stone clemency — tweeting last month that Stone was “a victim of a corrupt and illegal Witch Hunt, one which will go down as the greatest political crime in history. He can sleep well at night!”
During an exclusive interview with Fox News this week, Stone said he was “praying” for Trump to intervene.
When asked whether he’d prefer a pardon or a commutation of his sentence, Stone said “either one obviously would have an effect, in my opinion, of saving my life.”
A presidential pardon completely absolves an individual of the crime he or she is found to have committed. A commutation lessens the punishment or eliminates jail time, but leaves the conviction standing.
“I have deep concerns about going to a prison where there absolutely is COVID virus, and, therefore, either one would have an effect of saving my life," Stone said.
He added: “If I should be fortunate enough to get a commutation, I would continue to fight for vindication.”
Roger Stone says order to report to jail is 'essentially a death sentence'Video
As of Thursday evening, Stone said he had not received any formal communication from the White House on a potential pardon or commutation of his sentence.
I think I’ll be the last person to know,” Stone told Fox News. “He hates leaks, and he hates to be told what to do. I have instructed my lawyers not to contact the lawyers at the White House.”
“The president, who I’ve known for 40 years, has an incredible sense of fairness. He is aware that the people trying to destroy Michael Flynn, now trying to destroy me, are the people trying to destroy him," Stone said."


welovetrump--2020-07-10--Army Investigating: Emails, Handouts, Labeled “MAGA” White Supremacist Term

The Army has officially said that it is unclear who is distributing handouts and sending emails which are labeling certain behaviors & terms , such as Make America Great Again , as white supremacy .
The question is why are politically motivated materials even being distributed by the military ?
Why is there an `` Operation Inclusion ? ''
Our friends at Fox News covered the controversial story : The U.S. Army is investigating after a handout was distributed to personnel on an Army base in Alabama that included an image describing President Trump 's 2016 “ Make America Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covert White supremacy .
The handout , sent to personnel at Redstone Arsenal , invited all soldiers and personnel to attend an “ Operation Inclusion ” listening seminar .
Rep. Mo Brooks , R-Ala. , who first brought attention to the handout , said it was sent to personnel at the base from an official government email address and created by the U.S. Army Equality and Inclusion Agency .
He believes it could have been sent to thousands of personnel .
Included in the handout was a pyramid graphic with behaviors identified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ” such as racial slurs and hate crimes .
Beneath that are listed things classed as “ covert '' or socially acceptable forms of “ white supremacy.
” The long list of items include “ calling the police on black people , ” “ respectability politics , ” celebrating Columbus Day , as well as saying “ all lives matter ” and “ Make America Great Again ” — President Trump ’ s 2016 campaign slogan .
The Army website describes Project Inclusion as an Army initiative , directed by the Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve diversity , equity , and inclusion across the force and build cohesive teams .
”

The Army has officially said that it is unclear who is distributing handouts and sending emails which are labeling certain behaviors & terms, such as Make America Great Again, as white supremacy.
The question is why are politically motivated materials even being distributed by the military?
Why is there an "Operation Inclusion?"
Our friends at Fox News covered the controversial story:
The U.S. Army is investigating after a handout was distributed to personnel on an Army base in Alabama that included an image describing President Trump's 2016 “Make America Great Again” slogan as a form of covert White supremacy. The handout, sent to personnel at Redstone Arsenal, invited all soldiers and personnel to attend an “Operation Inclusion” listening seminar. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who first brought attention to the handout, said it was sent to personnel at the base from an official government email address and created by the U.S. Army Equality and Inclusion Agency. He believes it could have been sent to thousands of personnel. Included in the handout was a pyramid graphic with behaviors identified as “overt white supremacy (socially unacceptable)” such as racial slurs and hate crimes. Beneath that are listed things classed as “covert" or socially acceptable forms of “white supremacy.” The long list of items include “calling the police on black people,” “respectability politics,” celebrating Columbus Day, as well as saying “all lives matter” and “Make America Great Again” — President Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan. The Army website describes Project Inclusion as an Army initiative, directed by the Secretary and the Chief of Staff to "improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the force and build cohesive teams.”


welovetrump--2020-07-10--Colin Powell Calls Media Coverage of Russia Bounties “Hysterical”

Powell was not the only significant figure to dispel the concern over the alleged bounty plot by the Russians .
The top US General in the Middle East , Kenneth McKenzie , also downplayed the significance of the story The top U.S. general in the Middle East said Tuesday he was aware of the intelligence of a Russian bounty program targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan , but while he said he found it “ worrisome , ” he said he did not believe it was tied to actual U.S. military deaths on the battlefield .
“ I found it very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was a causative link there , '' Gen. Kenneth McKenzie , the commander of U.S. Central Command , said in an interview with a small number of reporters .
‘ The intel ( intelligence ) case was n't proved to me -- it was n't proved enough that I 'd take it to a court of law -- and you know that 's often true in battlefield intelligence , ” said McKenzie .
“ You see a lot of indicators , many of them are troubling many of them you act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case there just there was n't enough there I sent the intelligence guys back to continue to dig on it , and I believe they 're continuing to dig right now , but I just did n't see enough there to tell me that the circuit was closed in that regard.
” He added that force protection levels in Afghanistan are always high “ whether the Russians are paying the Taliban or not . ''
McKenzie said the insurgent group has always focused its attacks on U.S. forces in Afghanistan , though that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement with the Taliban .
“ Over the past several years , the Taliban have done their level best to carry out operations against us , so nothing is practically changed on the ground in terms of force protection , because we have a very high force protection standard now , and that force protection standard 's going to continue into the future , ” said McKenzie .
The Trump administration has found itself under fire following the recent disclosure by U.S. officials that U.S. intelligence had found evidence of a Russian intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American forces in Afghanistan has been controversial .
A military official told ABC News that information about the program was informed by a raid on a Taliban location in January found a large amount of American cash .
President Donald Trump and other administration officials have said he was not personally , verbally briefed on the intelligence because the U.S. intelligence community had not fully `` verified '' the information .
The Associated Press and the New York Times have have that the information was included in the written version of the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McKenzie indicated that “ reports of this nature have been out there for a while , but it was very very low levels of authenticity about them .
And so you just continue to plow through them and sort of as you go forward.
” The general said Russian motivations in Afghanistan are influenced by the defeat of Russian forces in that country and always take an `` opportunity to throw sand in our gears when they can and make life uncomfortable for us . ''
`` We should always remember the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not our friends and they are not our friends in Afghanistan and they do not wish us well , '' said McKenzie .
`` And we just need to remember that at all times , when we evaluate that intelligence . ''

Powell was not the only significant figure to dispel the concern over the alleged bounty plot by the Russians.
The top US General in the Middle East, Kenneth McKenzie, also downplayed the significance of the story
From ABC News:
The top U.S. general in the Middle East said Tuesday he was aware of the intelligence of a Russian bounty program targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but while he said he found it “worrisome,” he said he did not believe it was tied to actual U.S. military deaths on the battlefield.
“I found it very worrisome, I just didn't find that there was a causative link there," Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, said in an interview with a small number of reporters.
‘The intel (intelligence) case wasn't proved to me -- it wasn't proved enough that I'd take it to a court of law -- and you know that's often true in battlefield intelligence,” said McKenzie.
“You see a lot of indicators, many of them are troubling many of them you act on. But, but in this case there just there wasn't enough there I sent the intelligence guys back to continue to dig on it, and I believe they're continuing to dig right now, but I just didn't see enough there to tell me that the circuit was closed in that regard.”
He added that force protection levels in Afghanistan are always high “whether the Russians are paying the Taliban or not." McKenzie said the insurgent group has always focused its attacks on U.S. forces in Afghanistan, though that has ceased under the current U.S. peace agreement with the Taliban.
“Over the past several years, the Taliban have done their level best to carry out operations against us, so nothing is practically changed on the ground in terms of force protection, because we have a very high force protection standard now, and that force protection standard's going to continue into the future,” said McKenzie.
The Trump administration has found itself under fire following the recent disclosure by U.S. officials that U.S. intelligence had found evidence of a Russian intelligence program that paid Taliban fighters to target American forces in Afghanistan has been controversial. A military official told ABC News that information about the program was informed by a raid on a Taliban location in January found a large amount of American cash.
President Donald Trump and other administration officials have said he was not personally, verbally briefed on the intelligence because the U.S. intelligence community had not fully "verified" the information. The Associated Press and the New York Times have have that the information was included in the written version of the President's Daily Intelligence Brief in late February.
McKenzie indicated that “reports of this nature have been out there for a while, but it was very very low levels of authenticity about them. And so you just continue to plow through them and sort of as you go forward.”
The general said Russian motivations in Afghanistan are influenced by the defeat of Russian forces in that country and always take an "opportunity to throw sand in our gears when they can and make life uncomfortable for us."
"We should always remember the Russians are not our friends, they are not our friends and they are not our friends in Afghanistan and they do not wish us well," said McKenzie. "And we just need to remember that at all times, when we evaluate that intelligence."


welovetrump--2020-07-10--Trump Portsmouth Rally Postponed

Trump Portsmouth Rally Postponed

CNN also reported on the story : President Donald Trump 's Portsmouth , New Hampshire , rally has been delayed , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Friday .
McEnany told reporters aboard Air Force One that the rally would be postponed a week or two due to the impending storms in the area .
The rally was slated to be held outside at an airplane hangar amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump commented on Tropical Storm Fay ahead of his departure for Florida earlier Friday , saying he was monitoring the storm , which is expected to hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` With Tropical Storm Fay heading towards the Great State of New Hampshire this weekend , we are forced to reschedule our Portsmouth , New Hampshire Rally at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease .
Stay safe , we will be there soon !
.
The worst of Tropical Storm Fay will be through Portsmouth by the time the rally was scheduled to start at 8 p.m .
ET Saturday , CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said .
There is only about a 20 % chance of lingering showers at that time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be good , with heavy rainfall at times and gusty winds around 15-20 mph .
`` The rally scheduled for Saturday in Portsmouth , New Hampshire has been postponed for safety reasons because of Tropical Storm Fay .
It will be rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon , '' campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement .
A source familiar with the planning insisted the delay was weather-related .
Trump campaign officials have been in contact with the White House since this morning , reviewing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday morning .
While the skies are expected to clear by the time Trump takes the stage , officials were concerned about rally attendees who line up and would begin filing onto the tarmac in the morning , the source said .
They decided it would be a safety issue to have crowds lining up for the rally with the threat of lightning overhead . ''

CNN also reported on the story:
President Donald Trump's Portsmouth, New Hampshire, rally has been delayed, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Friday.
McEnany told reporters aboard Air Force One that the rally would be postponed a week or two due to the impending storms in the area. The rally was slated to be held outside at an airplane hangar amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump commented on Tropical Storm Fay ahead of his departure for Florida earlier Friday, saying he was monitoring the storm, which is expected to hit the East Coast.
He later tweeted: "With Tropical Storm Fay heading towards the Great State of New Hampshire this weekend, we are forced to reschedule our Portsmouth, New Hampshire Rally at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Stay safe, we will be there soon! .
The worst of Tropical Storm Fay will be through Portsmouth by the time the rally was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said. There is only about a 20% chance of lingering showers at that time.
That said, conditions during the day will not be good, with heavy rainfall at times and gusty winds around 15-20 mph.
"The rally scheduled for Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been postponed for safety reasons because of Tropical Storm Fay. It will be rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon," campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement.
A source familiar with the planning insisted the delay was weather-related.
Trump campaign officials have been in contact with the White House since this morning, reviewing a forecast warning of thunderstorms with lightning on Saturday morning.
While the skies are expected to clear by the time Trump takes the stage, officials were concerned about rally attendees who line up and would begin filing onto the tarmac in the morning, the source said. They decided it would be a safety issue to have crowds lining up for the rally with the threat of lightning overhead."


welovetrump--2020-07-10--NYT Frames Faith: Calls Church “Major Source of Coronavirus Cases.”

Christianity Todayfurther pointed out the contradictions the article makes pointing out that hundreds of thousands of non-church related cases have occurred in a matter of days : That ’ s 650 since the beginning of the pandemic , mind you .
There are now 3 million people infected in the United States .
Furthermore , there were 60,000 cases each of the past two days in America .
That 's almost 100 times the 650 cases that the New York Times reports in churches—and that is since the beginning of the pandemic .
The article does have some good and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several unhelpful parts , even beyond the headline .
Let me unpack some of the more obvious issues with the article .
First , churches have cooperated .
Churches have been remarkable partners in the fight again the coronavirus , with the vast majority closing their gatherings all around the country .
Yes , there have been a few outliers , but their paucity demonstrates the cooperation of churches with officials throughout this pandemic .
Churches have overwhelmingly been partners with health authorities and have carefully taken each small step .
Second , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange ( at best ) to use words like “ major ” and “ erupted ” when describing 650 cases .
You could easily write an article with the headline , “ Of the 3 million cases , only 650 connected to churches.
” On that point , the headline is misleading .
Having 650 cases in my county might be news , but 650 nationally out of 3 million cases is a headline looking for a story .
The real story is this : churches are gathering and remarkably few infections are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understates the obvious .
In fact , it buries something quite essential : “ ... some of the recent cases appear to have occurred in churches that did not require masks or keep members apart.
” For example , 236 cases in Oregon were linked to one church in that state .
Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Island City was apparently not following basic protocols : The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that a deleted video from the church ’ s Facebook page showed “ hundreds of worshipers singing , dancing , and jumping around ” at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s orders restricting gatherings This one church ( out of 300,000 churches in the country ) accounted for about one-third of the total in the NY Times article .
To be clear , every case matters—every life matters .
But making churches out to be the problem does not come from the data .
It is worth saying again that I ’ ve been one of the most cautious .
I hosted an early Facebook Live ( viewed by almost 200,000 church leaders ) urging churches to take the crisis more seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve cautioned churches not to rush to do so .
We have been cautious because gathering is a riskier activity .
It is indoors .
There are a lot of people .
That ’ s why we need to take this seriously , and so many churches are .
And that ’ s the story that got missed .
Fourth , this kind of article causes people to dismiss important information .
I ’ m a subscriber to The New York Times .
Good journalism matters .
And , good journalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches in the United States , the overwhelming majority who are doing amazing in their COVID response .
Articles like this remind us why the Knight Foundation and Gallup found in a 2018 poll that Americans trust toward the media continues to decline .
Most adults have lost trust in the media .
Articles like this wo n't help in rebuilding trust among church leaders .
Do n't misunderstand : gathering is risky , and proper protocols need to be followed .
But , churches are doing so .
Pastors care for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering and safety overwhelmingly well .
Will there be an outbreak at a church that follows the rules ?
Yes .
there will be .
Just like there will be at colleges that meet this fall , and at Amazon warehouses , big box stores , and at workplaces .
This disease is insidious and spreads easily .
That ’ s why we need to continue to be careful .
However , articles like this create a false narrative concerning churches and places of worship , cause people to believe reporting on religion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it enflames rather than informs .
Reading the responses to my original tweet is instructive .
The Times is already written off by many people of faith .
However , I ’ m not among those yelling , “ Fake news.
” Yet , when stories are poorly framed , it has consequences .
Finally , this article simply misses the point .
The article provides the opposite of its headline .
A few churches have made some bad decisions and this has led to community spread .
However , even in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus at church is—based on the data in the story—remarkably low .
And , if you make wise choices , it is even lower .
The picture used for the Times article is from a Calvary Chapel .
The Calvary Chapel I visited on Sunday is more representative of their network of churches in particular and most churches in general .
They literally have cones between every car ( unlike at stores ) , clearly defined zones for people to gather , health and cleaning teams , and more .
They are following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( See update at the end of the article . )
We all recognize the difficulties we face today , whether we are talking about churches , workplaces , schools , or sports .
Inflammatory articles like this help no one but may instead cause harm both to the subject and to the source . ''

Christianity Todayfurther pointed out the contradictions the article makes pointing out that hundreds of thousands of non-church related cases have occurred in a matter of days:
That’s 650 since the beginning of the pandemic, mind you. There are now 3 million people infected in the United States.
Furthermore, there were 60,000 cases each of the past two days in America. That's almost 100 times the 650 cases that the New York Times reports in churches—and that is since the beginning of the pandemic.
The article does have some good and insightful reporting. However, there are several unhelpful parts, even beyond the headline.
Let me unpack some of the more obvious issues with the article.
First, churches have cooperated.
Churches have been remarkable partners in the fight again the coronavirus, with the vast majority closing their gatherings all around the country. Yes, there have been a few outliers, but their paucity demonstrates the cooperation of churches with officials throughout this pandemic.
Churches have overwhelmingly been partners with health authorities and have carefully taken each small step.
Second, hyperbole helps no one.
It is strange (at best) to use words like “major” and “erupted” when describing 650 cases. You could easily write an article with the headline, “Of the 3 million cases, only 650 connected to churches.”
On that point, the headline is misleading. Having 650 cases in my county might be news, but 650 nationally out of 3 million cases is a headline looking for a story. The real story is this: churches are gathering and remarkably few infections are taking place.
Third, the article understates the obvious.
In fact, it buries something quite essential: “... some of the recent cases appear to have occurred in churches that did not require masks or keep members apart.” For example, 236 cases in Oregon were linked to one church in that state.
Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Island City was apparently not following basic protocols:
The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that a deleted video from the church’s Facebook page showed “hundreds of worshipers singing, dancing, and jumping around” at a May 24 service despite the governor’s orders restricting gatherings
This one church (out of 300,000 churches in the country) accounted for about one-third of the total in the NY Times article.
To be clear, every case matters—every life matters. But making churches out to be the problem does not come from the data.
It is worth saying again that I’ve been one of the most cautious. I hosted an early Facebook Live (viewed by almost 200,000 church leaders) urging churches to take the crisis more seriously. My church is not gathering. I’ve cautioned churches not to rush to do so.
We have been cautious because gathering is a riskier activity. It is indoors. There are a lot of people. That’s why we need to take this seriously, and so many churches are.
And that’s the story that got missed.
Fourth, this kind of article causes people to dismiss important information.
I’m a subscriber to The New York Times. Good journalism matters.
And, good journalism needs context. There are over 300,000 churches in the United States, the overwhelming majority who are doing amazing in their COVID response.
Articles like this remind us why the Knight Foundation and Gallup found in a 2018 poll that Americans trust toward the media continues to decline. Most adults have lost trust in the media. Articles like this won't help in rebuilding trust among church leaders.
Don't misunderstand: gathering is risky, and proper protocols need to be followed. But, churches are doing so. Pastors care for their people and have represented the balance between gathering and safety overwhelmingly well.
Will there be an outbreak at a church that follows the rules? Yes. there will be. Just like there will be at colleges that meet this fall, and at Amazon warehouses, big box stores, and at workplaces. This disease is insidious and spreads easily. That’s why we need to continue to be careful.
However, articles like this create a false narrative concerning churches and places of worship, cause people to believe reporting on religion can’t be trusted, and it enflames rather than informs.
Reading the responses to my original tweet is instructive. The Times is already written off by many people of faith. However, I’m not among those yelling, “Fake news.” Yet, when stories are poorly framed, it has consequences.
Finally, this article simply misses the point.
The article provides the opposite of its headline. A few churches have made some bad decisions and this has led to community spread. However, even in these cases, your chance of catching the virus at church is—based on the data in the story—remarkably low.
And, if you make wise choices, it is even lower.
The picture used for the Times article is from a Calvary Chapel. The Calvary Chapel I visited on Sunday is more representative of their network of churches in particular and most churches in general. They literally have cones between every car (unlike at stores), clearly defined zones for people to gather, health and cleaning teams, and more. They are following the rules and observing proper protocols. (See update at the end of the article.)
We all recognize the difficulties we face today, whether we are talking about churches, workplaces, schools, or sports. Inflammatory articles like this help no one but may instead cause harm both to the subject and to the source."


welovetrump--2020-07-10--Ghislaine Maxwell Given Paper Clothes While in Prison for Fear of Suicide Attempt

Ghislaine Maxwell , the recently arrested confidant of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , was given paper clothes upon checking into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn , New York , over fears that she might take her own life , two federal law enforcement sources confirm to ABC News .
It 's unclear whether Maxwell has been placed on suicide watch .
Sources stressed to ABC News that it is standard procedure for high-profile inmates or new inmates .
However , one source told ABC News that the federal Bureau of Prisons has gone to `` great measures '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Prisons declined to comment .
The news was first reported by The Associated Press .
From at least 1994 to 1997 , Maxwell assisted , facilitated and contributed to Epstein 's alleged abuse of minor girls , according to the six-count indictment .
Attorney General William Barr told ABC News on Wednesday that he is keeping a close watch to make sure that Maxwell makes it to trial after Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial last year .
`` We have asked [ the Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols they 're following and we have a number of redundant systems to monitor the situation , '' Barr said .
Barr said he was `` livid '' Epstein died while in custody last August .
The investigation into Epstein has continued even after his death .

Ghislaine Maxwell, the recently arrested confidant of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was given paper clothes upon checking into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, over fears that she might take her own life, two federal law enforcement sources confirm to ABC News.
It's unclear whether Maxwell has been placed on suicide watch.
Sources stressed to ABC News that it is standard procedure for high-profile inmates or new inmates. However, one source told ABC News that the federal Bureau of Prisons has gone to "great measures" to ensure Maxwell's safety.
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment.
The news was first reported by The Associated Press.
Maxwell, 58, was charged by the Southern District of New York with conspiring to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, perjury and other offenses.
From at least 1994 to 1997, Maxwell assisted, facilitated and contributed to Epstein's alleged abuse of minor girls, according to the six-count indictment.
Attorney General William Barr told ABC News on Wednesday that he is keeping a close watch to make sure that Maxwell makes it to trial after Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial last year.
"We have asked [the Bureau of Prisons] to tell us specifically the protocols they're following and we have a number of redundant systems to monitor the situation," Barr said.
Barr said he was "livid" Epstein died while in custody last August. The investigation into Epstein has continued even after his death.


welovetrump--2020-07-10--Goya Foods Faces Major Backlash after CEO Praises Trump

The hashtag # Goyaway was trending on social media Friday after Robert Unanue , CEO of Goya Foods , appeared in the White House Rose Garden Thursday afternoon and praised President Donald Trump .
`` We are all truly blessed ... to have a leader like President Trump who is a builder , '' Unanue said during the Rose Garden speech .
`` We have an incredible builder , and we pray .
We pray for our leadership , our president . ''
The fact that Unanue would associate with Trump was sufficient to anger some of America 's most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested in a tweet that she 'd boycott Goya .
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro acknowledged Goya 's `` staple '' status in Latino households , but he encouraged people to reconsider buying Goya after Unanue 's White House appearance .
President Trump is unpopular among Hispanic Americans .
Hispanics favor Vice President Joe Biden over Trump in the race for president by a 36 percentage-point margin , according to the latest New York Times/Siena College poll .
Trump began his campaign by criticizing Mexican immigrants for being `` rapists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
He has spent much of his presidency trying to build a wall along the southern US border and enacted a policy that separated children from parents when they were apprehended at the border .

The hashtag #Goyaway was trending on social media Friday after Robert Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods, appeared in the White House Rose Garden Thursday afternoon and praised President Donald Trump.
"We are all truly blessed ... to have a leader like President Trump who is a builder," Unanue said during the Rose Garden speech. "We have an incredible builder, and we pray. We pray for our leadership, our president."
The fact that Unanue would associate with Trump was sufficient to anger some of America's most prominent Hispanic leaders. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested in a tweet that she'd boycott Goya.
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro acknowledged Goya's "staple" status in Latino households, but he encouraged people to reconsider buying Goya after Unanue's White House appearance.
President Trump is unpopular among Hispanic Americans. Hispanics favor Vice President Joe Biden over Trump in the race for president by a 36 percentage-point margin, according to the latest New York Times/Siena College poll. Trump began his campaign by criticizing Mexican immigrants for being "rapists" and bringing drugs into the United States. He has spent much of his presidency trying to build a wall along the southern US border and enacted a policy that separated children from parents when they were apprehended at the border.


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Schiff, Nadler Give Their Reaction to Trump Commuting Roger Stone’s Sentence

The White House announced Friday that President Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency commuting the `` unjust sentence '' of Roger Stone , just days before the longtime political operative was slated to report to prison to serve more than three years for charges stemming from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
In a lengthy statement released late Friday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president had made the decision to commute Stone 's sentence `` in light of the egregious facts and circumstances surrounding his unfair prosecution , arrest , and trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency , ” McEnany said in a statement Friday night .
“ There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign , or the Trump Administration , with Russia .
Such collusion was never anything other than a fantasy of partisans unable to accept the result of the 2016 election .
The collusion delusion spawned endless and farcical investigations , conducted at great taxpayer expense , looking for evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mueller ’ s office “ resorted to process-based charges leveled at high-profile people in an attempt to manufacture the false impression of criminality lurking below the surface.
” “ These charges were the product of recklessness borne of frustration and malice , ” she said .
McEnany touted Stone ’ s career in politics , noting that he worked for nearly 50 years as a consultant for high-profile Republican politicians , including former President Ronald Reagan , Sen. Bob Dole and others , while noting that Stone is also known for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and opposition to Hillary Clinton . ''
McEnany went on to blast Mueller ’ s prosecutors for the fashion in which they arrested Stone , noting he is a “ 67 year old man with numerous medical conditions , who had never been convicted of another crime , and that they used “ dozens of FBI agents with automatic weapons and tactical equipment , armored vehicles , and an amphibious unit to execute a pre-dawn raid of his home , where he was with his wife of many years.
” McEnany went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be put at serious medical risk in prison .
”

Right from the start, Roger Stone was treated unfairly by the justice system.
A large team of armed FBI agents showed up to his home and arrested him in front of his wife.
The only reason Stone faced any trouble?
Because Democrats pushed the Russian Collusion hoax from the beginning of Trump’s presidency.
President Trump, within his powers as president, saw fit to commute Stone’s sentence and Democrats could not be more displeased.
Here’s tweets from both Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler in response to the commutation:


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Democrat Representative Elissa Slotkin Says Don’t Believe the Polls, Trump Voters Undercounted!

Remember how most of the polls predicted Hillary had over a 90 % chance of winning the election ?
Democrats were certainly caught with their pants down in 2016 .
And according to one Democrat Representative , they may be repeating the same mistake again with the 2020 election .
Fox News reports on Demcrat Representative Elissa Slotkin ’ s warning that Trump voters are undercounted in polls : Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan is warning other Democrats who believe Joe Biden is the heavy favorite to win the presidential election based on recent polling .
In an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls that show Biden holding a substantial lead over President Trump ahead of November .
“ I don ’ t believe it , ” Slotkin told Politico .
“ Listen , if anyone tells me they can accurately predict what major events are coming in the remainder of 2020 , I ’ ll give them a thousand dollars .
I mean , this has been the year of black swans .
… I don ’ t for one minute think this [ presidential ] race is safe in anyone ’ s column .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ignore those polls .
They are a snapshot in time .
And if 2020 has taught us anything , it ’ s that we have no idea what ’ s coming next.
” Slotkin went even further , saying she believes that the polls are “ inaccurate.
” “ Here ’ s the thing .
When I started to run and I had to hire a pollster , I interviewed a bunch of different folks and I decided to do what we do sometimes at the Pentagon , which is to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview , ” Slotkin explained .
“ It was five or six folks that I interviewed , and I said , ‘ You got something wrong .
You screwed up in 2016 .
What did you get wrong ?
And how are you going to fix it ?
’ ” She noted that only one pollster , GQR ’ s Al Quinlan , admitted he was wrong in 2016 .
She ended up hiring him .
Some of these polls have Biden ahead by 10 or even 15 points !
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward giving the Democrat an edge .
Just a few weeks ago , and RNC spokesperson went on a Fox News podcast and explained why the polls are wrong :

Remember how most of the polls predicted Hillary had over a 90% chance of winning the election?
Democrats were certainly caught with their pants down in 2016.
And according to one Democrat Representative, they may be repeating the same mistake again with the 2020 election.
Fox News reports on Demcrat Representative Elissa Slotkin’s warning that Trump voters are undercounted in polls:
Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan is warning other Democrats who believe Joe Biden is the heavy favorite to win the presidential election based on recent polling. In an interview with Politico, Slotkin expressed her skepticism about polls that show Biden holding a substantial lead over President Trump ahead of November. “I don’t believe it,” Slotkin told Politico. “Listen, if anyone tells me they can accurately predict what major events are coming in the remainder of 2020, I’ll give them a thousand dollars. I mean, this has been the year of black swans. … I don’t for one minute think this [presidential] race is safe in anyone’s column. I’ve been literally begging people to ignore those polls. They are a snapshot in time. And if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we have no idea what’s coming next.” Slotkin went even further, saying she believes that the polls are “inaccurate.” “Here’s the thing. When I started to run and I had to hire a pollster, I interviewed a bunch of different folks and I decided to do what we do sometimes at the Pentagon, which is to take a ‘bad cop’ approach to the interview,” Slotkin explained. “It was five or six folks that I interviewed, and I said, ‘You got something wrong. You screwed up in 2016. What did you get wrong? And how are you going to fix it?’” She noted that only one pollster, GQR’s Al Quinlan, admitted he was wrong in 2016. She ended up hiring him.
Slotkin may have a point.
Some of these polls have Biden ahead by 10 or even 15 points!
It’s no secret that most polls skew toward giving the Democrat an edge.
Just a few weeks ago, and RNC spokesperson went on a Fox News podcast and explained why the polls are wrong:


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Employees from Five Guys Fired After Refusing to Serve Police Officers

Everyday the men and women who serve as police officers put their lives on the line to protect us .
Yet some decide that those same men and women don ’ t deserve to even be served a meal .
According to USA Today , several employees of Fives Guys in Daphne , Alabama have been fired or suspended over refusing to serve uniformed police officers : A group of Five Guys employees who refused to serve members of an Alabama police force have been fired or suspended .
The incident took place on Tuesday when three officers of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant located in a shopping center , according to a local media report detailing the allegations .
The officers say they returned to their vehicles to retrieve masks to comply with the location ’ s mask requirement , FOX 10 reported .
Once back inside , they allege multiple employees turned their backs to them and refused to serve them .
“ Five Guys and the Daphne , AL franchise want to thank the Daphne Police Department for their support in working together toward a resolution .
The actions the Daphne , AL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the employees involved , ” Five Guys said Friday in its local Facebook page of Daphne , Ala. Five Guys did not immediately respond to USA TODAY ’ s request for comment .
The Daphne store added in its Facebook statement it was temporarily closing the location “ for further education and customer service training with a representative from the Daphne Police Department.
” For its part , the Daphne Police Department released a statement Wednesday saying it “ appreciates the outpouring of support from our community and from supporters of Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to thank Five Guys on a corporate and local level .
We have been working through this situation and there has been total cooperation.
” It ’ s infuriating to see the audacity of these employees as they disrespect the same people that would protect them .
If the restaurant were robbed or in danger , who would be these employees first call ?
The police of course !
Check out the latest news on Twitter :

Everyday the men and women who serve as police officers put their lives on the line to protect us.
Yet some decide that those same men and women don’t deserve to even be served a meal.
According to USA Today, several employees of Fives Guys in Daphne, Alabama have been fired or suspended over refusing to serve uniformed police officers:
A group of Five Guys employees who refused to serve members of an Alabama police force have been fired or suspended. The incident took place on Tuesday when three officers of the Daphne Police Department entered a Five Guys restaurant located in a shopping center, according to a local media report detailing the allegations. The officers say they returned to their vehicles to retrieve masks to comply with the location’s mask requirement, FOX 10 reported. Once back inside, they allege multiple employees turned their backs to them and refused to serve them. “Five Guys and the Daphne, AL franchise want to thank the Daphne Police Department for their support in working together toward a resolution. The actions the Daphne, AL franchise have taken include termination and suspension of the employees involved,” Five Guys said Friday in its local Facebook page of Daphne, Ala. Five Guys did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. The Daphne store added in its Facebook statement it was temporarily closing the location “for further education and customer service training with a representative from the Daphne Police Department.” For its part, the Daphne Police Department released a statement Wednesday saying it “appreciates the outpouring of support from our community and from supporters of Law Enforcement across the country. We also want to thank Five Guys on a corporate and local level. We have been working through this situation and there has been total cooperation.”
This is the world Black Lives Matter would have us live in!
It’s infuriating to see the audacity of these employees as they disrespect the same people that would protect them.
If the restaurant were robbed or in danger, who would be these employees first call?
The police of course!
Check out the latest news on Twitter:


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Election Model Predicts 91% Chance For Trump Victory In November!

If you watch The Fake News or follow the polls that they shove down our throats , it would appear that President Trump is on a sinking ship .
I 'd prefer to put my faith in a model that his predicted almost every election accurately since 1912 .
Luckily for me , one such system happens to exist .
President Donald Trump has a 91 per cent chance of winning the November 2020 election , according to a political science professor who has correctly predicted five out of six elections since 1996 .
“ The Primary Model gives Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , ” Stony Brook professor Helmut Norpoth told Mediaite on Tuesday .
Mr Norpoth told the outlet that his model , which he curated in 1996 , would have correctly predicted the outcome for 25 of the 27 elections since 1912 , when primaries were introduced .
The model calculates the winning candidate based on early presidential nominating contests and placing an emphasis on how much enthusiasm candidates are able to generate early in the nominating process , the professor said .
“ The terrain of presidential contests is littered with nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring turn to dust in the fall , ” Mr Norpoth said .
If the prediction is correct , former vice president Joe Biden is placed at a severe disadvantage due to losses in his party ’ s first two presidential nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire . ''

If you watch The Fake News or follow the polls that they shove down our throats, it would appear that President Trump is on a sinking ship.
I'd prefer to put my faith in a model that his predicted almost every election accurately since 1912.
Luckily for me, one such system happens to exist.
From MSN:
President Donald Trump has a 91 per cent chance of winning the November 2020 election, according to a political science professor who has correctly predicted five out of six elections since 1996. “The Primary Model gives Trump a 91 percent chance of winning in November,” Stony Brook professor Helmut Norpoth told Mediaite on Tuesday. Mr Norpoth told the outlet that his model, which he curated in 1996, would have correctly predicted the outcome for 25 of the 27 elections since 1912, when primaries were introduced. The model calculates the winning candidate based on early presidential nominating contests and placing an emphasis on how much enthusiasm candidates are able to generate early in the nominating process, the professor said. “The terrain of presidential contests is littered with nominees who saw a poll lead in the spring turn to dust in the fall,” Mr Norpoth said. If the prediction is correct, former vice president Joe Biden is placed at a severe disadvantage due to losses in his party’s first two presidential nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire."


welovetrump--2020-07-11--Rush Limbaugh On Cancer Battle: “I’m Confident This Is Going Into Extra Innings.”

Here is Rush in his own words , from RushLimbaugh.com : Okay , time for an update on my condition , my circumstances , my treatment .
I told you all from the very beginning that I did not want to be a cancer patient here on the radio .
Now , those of you who ’ ve been through this or have had family members go through it , you know that it takes over your life if you let it .
You know that it has deep-seated psychological impacts on everybody in your family , including the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It takes a yeoman ’ s effort to get past all that .
It takes a lot of effort to try to live what used to be and what you try to make a normal life again .
But there ’ s always that cloud hanging out over there .
So rather than talk about blood draws and all of the medical specifics , what I thought I would do was use a sports analogy .
And since I used to work for the Kansas City Royals I understand baseball a bit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use to analogize where I am to date in my treatment for what is , for those of you who don ’ t know — there ’ s new people listening , tuning in every day — advanced stage lung cancer which was diagnosed back in January , on the 20th .
So leaning on my time with the Kansas City Royals , I thought the best way to update you and to inform you would be with a baseball analogy .
It was in late January that we learned of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really tough opponent .
So , it was time to go up to bat , time to walk to the plate , bat in hand , and that is exactly what happened .
And my first two at-bats were horrible .
My first two at-bats struck out .
Nothing to show for it .
The first two attempts to deal with the cancer failed .
One was a targeted therapy of clinical trial drugs , which worked but nearly killed me in the process .
And so we had to get off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me I could hit the pitch .
I wasn ’ t gon na strike out .
I was at least able to make contact .
We had some hope that there would be a remedy .
The second at-bat was a total and complete failure .
I struck out on three pitches .
Did not even make contact .
So I ’ m now up in the bottom of the ninth , I ’ m 0-for-2 .
I have not reached first base .
I didn ’ t coax a walk out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit , much less a double or a triple .
But on my third at-bat , the third attempt , I managed to get on base .
I hit a solid single and then stole second .
I am currently on second base hoping to slide into third and eventually make it all the way home .
We ’ re in the bottom of the ninth .
If I get all the way home we get extra innings .
And that ’ s what we ’ re shooting for here .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and basketball have a clock and they end .
Baseball doesn ’ t .
Baseball goes as long as the game is tied .
Right now I am tied .
I need to round the bases and score .
I need , however it happens , I need to either steal third , I need to steal home .
The guy hitting behind me needs to come up with something .
But that ’ s what we ’ re shooting for here is extra innings , and we want as many of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t be alarmed by my direct mention of the first two at-bats being total failures .
Well , they were both total failures , but one of them held promise .
The current treatment regimen — and , folks , it ’ s really tough because I know that you ’ ve known people or you ’ ve heard other people that are in media who are going through this illness or any other kind of illness .
They ’ re so eager to share with you good news that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing the good news , and it isn ’ t long before they have to come say , “ Uh , uh , oh , we ’ ve lost ground or it ’ s come back ” or what have you .
And so I am and vowed to be very guarded with the good news because we ’ re talking about cancer .
There are good days , good weeks .
There are bad days and bad weeks .
This past period , this past treatment , which was a week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I thought .
I was expecting , because of the cumulative effect of the toxicity , I was expecting to be , you know , in that just debilitating fatigue for 10 days .
And I wasn ’ t .
It lasted two days , Thursday and Friday .
The weekend was good .
But , again , anything can change rapidly and on a dime .
So , it ’ s a blessing .
I believe prayer works .
I know it does .
It is a blessing that in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had at this , I got on base and I stole second , and I ’ m chugging on to third , and I ’ m very confident that I ’ m gon na score .
I ’ m very confident that this is gon na go into extra innings .
Meaning — well , you know what it means .
I ’ m trying to avoid being specific in the lingo here .
And , again , that ’ s simply because of how rapidly things can change with this kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling extremely good right now , even cautious about saying that .
Who knows what tomorrow ’ s gon na bring .
Good days and bad days .
But I told you I would share information with you , and I told you I would keep you abreast of it .
And so that ’ s pretty much it .
That ’ s the sum total of it .
I mean , I could be even more optimistic if I wanted to because there is reason to be , but , again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an improvement , I ’ ll be sure and pass it on . ''

Here is Rush in his own words, from RushLimbaugh.com:
Okay, time for an update on my condition, my circumstances, my treatment. I told you all from the very beginning that I did not want to be a cancer patient here on the radio. Now, those of you who’ve been through this or have had family members go through it, you know that it takes over your life if you let it. You know that it has deep-seated psychological impacts on everybody in your family, including the person who has come down with it.
It takes a yeoman’s effort to get past all that. It takes a lot of effort to try to live what used to be and what you try to make a normal life again. But there’s always that cloud hanging out over there. So rather than talk about blood draws and all of the medical specifics, what I thought I would do was use a sports analogy.
And since I used to work for the Kansas City Royals I understand baseball a bit, and baseball is probably the best sport to use to analogize where I am to date in my treatment for what is, for those of you who don’t know — there’s new people listening, tuning in every day — advanced stage lung cancer which was diagnosed back in January, on the 20th.
So leaning on my time with the Kansas City Royals, I thought the best way to update you and to inform you would be with a baseball analogy. It was in late January that we learned of the diagnosis. That means we learned of a really tough opponent. So, it was time to go up to bat, time to walk to the plate, bat in hand, and that is exactly what happened. And my first two at-bats were horrible. My first two at-bats struck out. Nothing to show for it.
The first two attempts to deal with the cancer failed. One was a targeted therapy of clinical trial drugs, which worked but nearly killed me in the process. And so we had to get off of those. But that at-bat showed me I could hit the pitch. I wasn’t gonna strike out. I was at least able to make contact. We had some hope that there would be a remedy.
The second at-bat was a total and complete failure. I struck out on three pitches. Did not even make contact. So I’m now up in the bottom of the ninth, I’m 0-for-2. I have not reached first base. I didn’t coax a walk out of anybody. I didn’t get a hit, much less a double or a triple. But on my third at-bat, the third attempt, I managed to get on base. I hit a solid single and then stole second.
I am currently on second base hoping to slide into third and eventually make it all the way home. We’re in the bottom of the ninth. If I get all the way home we get extra innings. And that’s what we’re shooting for here. Another reason why I chose baseball — football and basketball have a clock and they end. Baseball doesn’t. Baseball goes as long as the game is tied. Right now I am tied. I need to round the bases and score. I need, however it happens, I need to either steal third, I need to steal home. The guy hitting behind me needs to come up with something.
But that’s what we’re shooting for here is extra innings, and we want as many of them as we can get. Now, don’t be alarmed by my direct mention of the first two at-bats being total failures. Well, they were both total failures, but one of them held promise. The current treatment regimen — and, folks, it’s really tough because I know that you’ve known people or you’ve heard other people that are in media who are going through this illness or any other kind of illness. They’re so eager to share with you good news that they do. And sometimes they get premature sharing the good news, and it isn’t long before they have to come say, “Uh, uh, oh, we’ve lost ground or it’s come back” or what have you.
And so I am and vowed to be very guarded with the good news because we’re talking about cancer. There are good days, good weeks. There are bad days and bad weeks. This past period, this past treatment, which was a week ago tomorrow, this has been much better than I thought. I was expecting, because of the cumulative effect of the toxicity, I was expecting to be, you know, in that just debilitating fatigue for 10 days. And I wasn’t. It lasted two days, Thursday and Friday. The weekend was good. But, again, anything can change rapidly and on a dime. So, it’s a blessing.
I believe prayer works. I know it does. It is a blessing that in my third at-bat, the last shot that I had at this, I got on base and I stole second, and I’m chugging on to third, and I’m very confident that I’m gonna score. I’m very confident that this is gonna go into extra innings. Meaning — well, you know what it means. I’m trying to avoid being specific in the lingo here. And, again, that’s simply because of how rapidly things can change with this kind of diagnosis.
But I’m feeling extremely good right now, even cautious about saying that. Who knows what tomorrow’s gonna bring. Good days and bad days. But I told you I would share information with you, and I told you I would keep you abreast of it. And so that’s pretty much it. That’s the sum total of it. I mean, I could be even more optimistic if I wanted to because there is reason to be, but, again, when every phase and stage happens that’s an improvement, I’ll be sure and pass it on."